Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary-Elizabeth Pacio.
Mary-Elizabeth, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
There is a countless number of youth basketball players; however, there’s a special handful that are called to coach, and even fewer that are called to coach players from all over the world.
At 12 years old, I fell in love with basketball after participating in Monte Valle Recreation Center’s Basketball Camp. I began playing organized basketball with the City of Chula Vista Youth Sports League, then I transitioned to competitive club and travel teams. I competed in Los Angeles, Arizona, and Las Vegas. I was primarily the point guard and guard for the South Bay Bulls and San Diego Rage. I also played basketball for Otay Ranch High School.
In middle school, I began my coaching career. I assisted Coach Mike Perri and Coach Ramon Vasquez in basketball camps and classes. I absolutely fell in love with coaching. I realized that I love breaking down specific moves for players, noticing players improve, and seeing players execute in games!
After high school, I became a basketball coach and referee for the City of Chula Vista Recreation Department. I was coaching the very classes and camps I participated in as a player! I coached 6-14 year olds in Basketball 101/102 classes, camps, and recreation teams.
Since then, I’ve become a USA Gold Basketball licensed coach, a Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal Coach, and a coach for 4Sight Academy. This year, I was also given a chance to coach internationally! In a virtual basketball camp led by Elite Basketball Chile, I coached over 120+ players from all over the world – including Brazil, Chile, and Japan! Now, players from all over the country and world are in my Zoom classes.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There absolutely have been many struggles starting my own business. I had a lot of self-doubts and the pandemic almost prevented me from starting.
Not many people think of a basketball coach being a 5 foot 3 inch, 22-year-old, Filipino American woman. I was extremely hesitant to begin my own coaching business due to my own self-doubts. After a lot of contemplating, I realized I do have a gift in the way I communicate and build trust with players, help players improve their skills, and create a positive and fun atmosphere. I realized I was coaching for the right reasons and had the passion to continuously improve and evolve as a coach. Not that many people have this gift and it shouldn’t matter how I look to decide whether or not I am a good coach.
After deciding that I was ready to start my own business, the pandemic began and the country began to shut down. I thought my business would never happen until I realized it had to happen. Recreation centers closed. Youth sports leagues are canceled or postponed. Schools are now remote. With so many bored kids at home, fun Zoom basketball classes seemed like a great option – and so many players love it!
I am so happy to be able to add some joy in so many kids’ lives and help them stay active! If I had let my self-doubt and the pandemic stop me, I wouldn’t have been where I’m at today – coaching players from all over the United States of America and internationally.
My job is to help put my players in a position to succeed. In order to be the best coach I can be, I’ve learned to never settle and always focus on ways I can improve for the sake of my players’ growth.
Tell us about your work – what should we know?
I use high-level coaching and enthusiasm to create highly competitive youth basketball players and inspire them to be great – on and off the basketball court. I offer fun and affordable Zoom basketball classes for players 7 to 17 years old and of all skill levels.
As a business, I’m most proud of players from all over the country and world being able to maintain focus, stay committed to improving their basketball skills, and have fun through my Zoom basketball classes. For many players, the Zoom basketball classes are the only time they see people from outside of their household. Because of this, I find it very important to have a balance of getting better at basketball and maintaining a fun, friendly, and competitive environment.
My coaching style is what separates me from others. As a coach, I have a great balance of helping players improve their basketball skills, learn life lessons, and have fun. My knowledge and my continued eagerness to keep improving as a coach helps me find ways a player can improve. I will never stop growing as a basketball coach.
In the sport of basketball, it’s easy to connect basketball lessons to life lessons. For example, the game and life waits for no one. No matter what the mistake is, life is still going on and the clock is still ticking. It’s up to us to quickly assess the situation and do the next right thing. There is not much time to sit and pout.
For example, a player makes a mistake during a basketball game. This player can freeze, pout, or show extreme disgust. On the other side, this player can assess the situation, decide what’s the next best thing he can do, and continue playing the game. If a player makes a mistake, it’s important to let them know the game does not stop just because of a mistake. As in life, the game is still going and the clock is still ticking.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My passion for helping players and my drive to evolve as a basketball coach has extremely helped me with my success.
The quality I feel that is most important to my success is my passion to help my players succeed and have fun- not for the money or any other reason. I never taught Zoom basketball classes and I never thought that I would have to. My passion for helping players succeed forced me to learn how to coach and communicate in front of a camera and screen. Transitioning from in person to Zoom classes was rough and not easy, but the outcome has been incredible.
Participation for Zoom basketball classes were slow at first. However, if I knew one player was getting better, I knew what I was doing was worth it. I kept with the Zoom basketball classes and the number of players participating continued to grow and still grows. Whether it be the Zoom class I had with 1 player or 120 players, I bring that same level of excitement and goal of helping each and every player improve.
Pricing:
- August Unlimited Access to Level 1 and Level 2 Classes – $65
- August 8 Class Package – $40.80
- August 4 Class Package – $20.40
- August Single Class Pass – $6.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coachmarypacio.weebly.com/#/
- Phone: (619)788-6915
- Email: coachmarypacio@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachmarypacio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachmarypacio/?ref=bookmarks
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/coach-mary-pacio-chula-vista?osq=coach+mary+pacio
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